Superstar Thai boxer Iman Barlow had to battle illness, fatigue and a tough opponent, but still marked her 100th professional fight with another world title defence.

The Melton fighter overcame home favourite Ashley Nichols in Canada to defend her Enfusion world title for a staggering fifth time – a fitting landmark for her milestone bout.

No other Thai boxer has defended an Enfusion world title more than twice, and having won the belt in London back in 2013, Iman has since seen off challengers in the Netherlands, Slovenia, Mallorca, Ireland, and now Canada.

And unfortunately for her rivals, she has no plans on relinquishing it for the time being.

“I can keep hold of it until I retire – at least that’s the plan,” she said.

“I have defended it all around the world, and as a woman, to be ahead of all the male fighters as well is really good.”

But it was not all plain sailing for the 24-year-old, as a stomach bug picked up in the days before the fight badly hampered her preparation.

Having gone out to Canada a week early to adjust to the time difference, she was ill for four days which left her battling fatigue.

“I was throwing up a lot and couldn’t keep any food down,” she added.

“I missed training one day and slept right through from three in the afternoon until eight the next day.

“By Thursday and Friday I was feeling a little better and obviously while I wasn’t 100 per cent, there was no way I wasn’t going to fight.”

Her fans back home were able to watch the clash live on Boxnation TV, while it was also the first women’s fight to be shown as a main event by Enfusion TV which broadcasts in 50 countries.

The competitive nature of the bout and the Canadian’s part in it helped justify the headline treatment.